Pay? For the right model and for the right projects, I do pay. Also, I provide you with a unique set of photos that you can use for personal use only or self-promotion in personal blogs, personal social networking services (SNS, like Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Model Mayhem, etc), for sharing with friends, for application portfolios, etc. On social networks, always link the photo to me, and I will do the same for you.

What do we do? Shoots are typically two hours (or three hours if we have a makeup artist), usually the most interesting photos are taken in the last half hour. I usually send detailed modelling information about the shoot a few days before the shoot especially to help new models (also see How to Model). We will first meet at the shoot venue or other convenient location and chat a little about the shoot, and you can ask questions. You sign the model release and we start shooting. I’ll need to first take some test shots to get my camera set up right for the lighting conditions, and then we get into it. There will be changes of poses, themes, and styles through the shoot, which will require new adjustments to the camera set up and more test shots. Just relax and enjoy the experience.

Language? I speak some Japanese and use simple or very simple English. I do have nice friendly English-Japanese speaking helpers and makeup artists.

Hair & make-up? I do have the help of bilingual makeup artists (mua). In some cases, it can be a low budget shoot and there will not be a make-up artist, so you will need to do your own. There are great videos on YouTube that can help inspire you. Important:please avoid spf make-up (make up that is also a sunblock / sunscreen), as it creates an unnatural shine, especially when we do flash-photography, which is often.

Makeup artist preparing a model for a lifestyle shoot in an old-style Japanese home.

How to pose: Please learn some poses, and see How to Model for some very basic ideas. To help you, a few days before the shoot I will send information with some extra posing ideas and scene information, which is especially helpful for new models. Please practice a little in front of the mirror and with selfies.

Model Release: I’ll ask you to sign a model release. It will allow the images to be used for editorial, advertising posters (TV, print, web, etc), news and media, travel brochures, websites (including professional and amateur blogs), calendars, product packaging, book or album covers, anything legal. Can there be usage restrictions? Perhaps geographical restrictions are possible, but not guaranteed. My photos are mainly used in North America, Europe, and Australia.

Want to be a pro model? Here’s a nice interview (in English) on Japan Today with an expat female model working professionally in Tokyo that might be of interest to you. Behind the scenes: This video shows the problems that are typical, problems with equipment, timing of shots and action, which means the model has to repeat the same thing, again and again: video from Digital Rev.